Illinois escapes bonkers affair in triple overtime at Rutgers
By Alex Roux
February 4, 2016
Someone had to win Wednesday evening between Illinois and Rutgers, even if it looked for most of the game like neither team wanted to. After coming within a free throw of defeat at the end of regulation and hemorrhaging away a seven-point lead with under a minute left in the first of three overtimes,...
Finke, Morgan step up for Illini in light of Thorne Jr.'s continued absence
January 26, 2016
Tweet: [email protected]_Michael and @Maverick_Morgan combined for 23 rebounds vs. Minnesota. Next up for #Illini hoops is a matchup with @OhioStateHoopsMalcolm Hill’s turn-around jumper glanced off the front rim during the first half of Illinois’ win against Minnesota. Surrounded by three Gophers, Michael F...
Illinois storms back in final minute, defeats Minnesota in OT
By Alex Roux
January 24, 2016
Tweet: Illinois picked up its first road win in nearly a year, beating Minnesota in overtime Saturday, writes @aroux94It looked grim for Illinois down the stretch.Trailing 60-55 at Minnesota with just over a minute to play Saturday, the Illini seemed to have run out of gas. But Malcolm Hill and Kendric...
Illinois escapes Minnesota with overtime win
January 24, 2016
tweet: Hill’s big night led the #Illini to their second Big Ten winFor two teams itching for an always elusive conference victory, Illinois and Minnesota had to wait longer than expected to determine a winner on Saturday night. The Illini seemed to want the dub just a little more and pulled away in ov...
Illinois and Minnesota will see who has it worse Saturday
By Alex Roux
January 23, 2016
Illinois has had a rough season so far on its way to a 9-10 overall record, but its opponent Saturday has been worse.Minnesota (6-13, 0-7 Big Ten) has been dreadful in Richard Pitino’s third year and is looking to snap an eight-game losing streak when it faces Illinois on Saturday night at Williams...
Illini escape UIC, but are haunted by second-half woes again
By Alex Roux
December 13, 2015
Over the last five years, Illinois basketball’s annual United Center game has evolved into an experience comparable to getting a root canal or waiting in line at the DMV.It isn’t pleasant. It isn’t fun. In its last six regular season games at United Center, Illinois has: lost to UIC, lost (badly) t...
Illinois will have to reverse ugly United Center trend against UIC Saturday
By Alex Roux
December 12, 2015
Tweet: United Center wasn’t kind to #Illini hoops last year, who must take down UIC to keep season trending upward, writes @aroux94United Center has historically been a friendly host for Illinois basketball (they’re 35-14 overall at the venue), but last year it was a house of horrors.The Illini suff...
Illini to face reigning Ivy League Player of the Year on Wednesday against Yale
December 8, 2015
From his spot on the right wing, Yale point guard Makai Mason lofted a perfect pass to a cutting Nick Victor, who caught the ball mid-air at the rim. Victor failed to convert the set-play alley-oop in the second half of Yale’s win against Vermont on Saturday, but reigning Ivy League Player of the Year J...
Nunn, Finke establish career highs against Western Carolina
December 7, 2015
Kendrick Nunn inbounded the ball to Michael Finke with six minutes left in the first half against Western Carolina Saturday. Finke caught the ball between the top of the key and the right wing, a few feet from the red State Farm logo. The redshirt freshman immediately handed the rock back to Nunn, who...
Hometown Illini players reflect on historic 2004-05 season
March 17, 2015
Despite being young at the time, former Champaign Centennial stars and now Illinois basketball players Rayvonte Rice and Michael Finke remember the 2004-05 basketball season like it was yesterday. While many watched the monumental run on TV, Finke and Rice were in the atmosphere experiencing it first...
Illini basketball focuses on defense in season opener
November 14, 2014
When the Illinois men’s basketball team faces Georgia Southern to start the regular season Friday, the Illini’s focus will be on defense. Illinois worked on bettering its defense this week in practice, but to have success in Friday’s regular season opener, Illinois will have to worry about a ...
Black’s energy, aggression translates to production for Illini basketball
November 12, 2014
On the basketball court, Leron Black prides himself on aggression and energy. The freshman forward’s energy on the court can be seen in every facet of his game. From scoring in the low post, to rebounding, to celebrating a three-point play with his team, Black exudes energy. Black’s motor is the r...
